Another Ice Stom?

The major news networks are predicting a major ice event for our area beginning tonight and going through Thursday. 

OH NO!

Back in December 2007 we went through a terrible ice storm in our area.  My home and neighborhood was without power from Sunday through the following Friday.  The entire greater Tulsa area was impacted and it was tough for everybody!

In the mornings we would go to the corner gas station/convenience store for coffee where we would see the same people every morning.  It was nerve racking, but nice to see that everyone was still doing okay.  They had survived another cold, dark night.  There was a run on gasoline due to fears that there wouldn't be any and any store that got a shipment of items like generators, flashlights, oil lamps, batteries and extension cords ran out immediately.  Thankfully there was no rioting or social negative behavior for the most part.

We learned a couple of things from that experience...

1. It gets really dark at 5 p.m. in the winter when you don't have electricity.  We were vividly reminded of how our grandparents and forefathers lived their everyday lives.  God bless those people!
2. It is hard to stay warm with just a fireplace going. 
3. Attitudes can go down the drain really quick!
4. Christmas shopping priorities got changed up really fast when you had to spend money on things like a    generator, gasoline to run the generator, eating out (couldn't cook at home!) and other things.
5.  When the power comes back on in part of the neighborhood and you're still out two days later...well that's no fun.  You rejoice for those people who got their power, but kind of feel left out.

One other thing we learned was that if you have a Gas water heater, you still have hot water.  It's kind of weird to shower in the semi-candle lit dark, but man does that warm water feel good!  This serves as a good reminder for clients.  Electric hot water heaters don't produce when the power is out.

My neighbor is an insurance agent.  He got busy contacting his customers and seeing if he couldn't help them.  I didn't do that last time around.  I think I should have.  He really was able to not only help people, but to extend his good name.  So this time, I'm going to follow his example and check in on my folks.  Maybe I can help them and maybe I can't.  But at the very least they'll have a follow up contact.  That will be good as some of them moved here from states where things like ice storms don't happen. 

Uh-Oh, the electricity is beginning to flash on and off.  Gotta go get my coat!

PS - I have a few pics of the December ice storm on my blog at http://www.ixthus1963.blogspot.com/or you can google Oklahoma Ice storm to see other pics that people posted.